Can Gym Bags be Machine Washed?
Many of us spend huge sums on high-end fitness bags, but that doesn’t change
the fact that, like any other bag, these seemingly nicer ones still get the
familiar unpleasant sweaty smell if we forget to clean them.
Honestly, in my early gym experience, I often overlooked the importance of cleaning my bag. After an exhausting workout, I would rather leave it with the dirty sweaty clothes inside and rest, rather than empty it. Soon enough, it became so unpleasant to open that I decided I need a new one instead of cleaning the old one. This was a common occurrence among other people I knew as well and the problem was that nobody knew how to properly clean a gym bag.
With this said, can gym bags be machine washed? Many people are still not aware that fitness bags can actually be put in the washing machine in most cases. This reduces the need of other strange and atypical cleaning or freshening methods such as activated charcoal, tea bags, or ordinary deodorant that only makes things worse.
There are, however, certain things to look for before you can safely place your gym bag in your washing machine. Not every bag can be washed and my sole purpose today is to give you all the details about the process as well as more information on gym bag cleaning.
Which Gym Bags can be Machine Washed?
Fortunately, the majority of gym bags that are available for purchase will be machine washable. Most bags are, of course, primarily made out of nylon which is absolutely washable. Another widely used material for gym bags is cloth which can also be put in a washing machine.
Whether or not your bag can be machine washed will be stated on the care label. Always look at the label when you are not sure if you can wash an object. In addition, some gym bags have a bottom panel which has to be removed before washing. This will make the bag more flexible. The panel itself has to be washed separately.
How to Machine Wash a Gym Bag
Generally, you can simply throw the bag in the washing machine and turn it on, but this is by no means the most practical and smart way. If you are here, then you are searching for the best option to clean your favorite bag and protect it at the same time.
In this case, you should start by closing all zippers which could otherwise scratch or damage the bag. In addition, you should secure the straps and all other attachments.
Another general option is to turn the bag inside out entirely. If you feel that the smell coming from the inside is already unbearable, then maybe this is the best way to do it. Nevertheless, you should secure the zippers.
Once you have secured the bag, you are left with two options: throw it in the washing machine as it is or place it in a mesh laundry bag. I myself always choose the second option as it is safer for both the gym bag and the other laundry. It reduces the friction and the bag does not get tossed around as much.
Now comes the most important part – setting up the washing machine. Before anything else, you should check the care label inside and see whether you can use active detergent. If the bag is made out of synthetic materials, then it is alright.
Next, choose the washing program. The cycle should be gentle and the water cold. Warm cycles will shrink down the canvas and you will need to buy a brand new bag. Be prepared to wash your gym bag more than once. There is no guarantee that the entire smell will be wiped out but after a second cycle, it should be as new.
The bag should be left out to air dry well before used again. Tumble drying may not be enough and moisture will quickly give bacteria a way back to the bag. Of course, certain bags can be machine dried but you should check the label to be sure.
Related Questions
How to Maintain a Gym Bag
Gym bags will eventually need a thorough cleaning but there are ways to keep it cleaner and reduce the smell in the meantime. People have found curious solutions and we will take a look at the most useful ways.
• Empty it After Training – This is perhaps the easiest and hardest thing to do at the same time as most people are often careless about their bag cleanliness. However, the simple action of emptying the bag out of all the sweaty clothes and your shoes will reduce bacteria growth and the development of odors.
Do not use your gym bag as storage space and let it air after you get home.
• Dryer Sheets – this is perhaps the easiest and non-engaging option to keep your gym bag as fresh as possible. Dryer sheets are useful in many ways outside the dryer. They will soak up the smell but need to be changed once every few days as they wear out quickly.
• Activated Charcoal – This is a natural air purifier that can last for years. All it requires is some time under the sun periodically, and it will last more than a year. It will eliminate the majority of odors in a bag and will also stop the development and growth of pathogens.
• Tea Bags – This is an unpopular solution but apparently useful in certain cases. All you need to do is place several tea bags depending on the size of your gym bag and wait a few days. This method is not suitable if you train daily but can be used when you plan a few days of rest. In the best-case scenario, it will surprise you and successfully remove all unpleasant odors.
• Deodorizing Spray – This is the most common and obvious solution but it is not really a solution in its entirety. All it does is mask the unpleasant odors for some time but it does not remove them. On the contrary, it enhances them and you will have to do it over and over again to cover the smell.
You can practically use any type of deodorizing spray or even create your own one at home with water and vinegar which is perhaps a better option.
How to Clean a Bag that cannot be Machine Washed?
There are cases where gym bags cannot be machine washed. As mentioned above, you can be sure by checking the care label inside. In other cases, people simply do not want to put their bags in a washing machine.
In these cases, you can simply clean the bag by hand. Fill up a bucket, a sink, or your bathtub with water, and add some active detergent. Stir the water until you get a bubbly mixture and place the bag in the water. Press it down and soak it entirely before leaving it in the water for about 30 minutes.
Once the time has passed, you should leave the bag under running water to remove the detergent until the water turns clear. You can also soak it up in clean water as well.
Try to remove as much of the moisture with a towel before you leave it out to air dry. Be careful not to use it before it is completely dry.